terrible morning agitation and tremors-perimeno? Options

[alinam]

So I started having new panic attacks/anxiety about six months ago. I'm convinced this is related to perimenopause because I also get cold flushes, some night sweats, and "crawly skin". Now I've noticed that I'm waking up very early feeling very restless and shaky. As soon as I start to move, my heart starts to race and pound and my body shakes like I have the chills. Some days, my hands shake for hours.

Anyone experience this?

Please help
Angela

[joyceveronica]

So I started having new panic attacks/anxiety about six months ago. I'm convinced this is related to perimenopause because I also get cold flushes, some night sweats, and "crawly skin". Now I've noticed that I'm waking up very early feeling very restless and shaky. As soon as I start to move, my heart starts to race and pound and my body shakes like I have the chills. Some days, my hands shake for hours.

Anyone experience this?

Please help
Angela

Dear 'alinam'
What you are describing are all symptoms that could be related to Menopause
However you need to see your Gyno. and discuss the options available to ease your transition.
I know it feels scary but there are so many wonderful and supportive ladies on this site ready to listen and share their experiences so you have come to the right place.
Please remember to ask for a full Thyroid work up as this little gland can also cause symptoms similar to those you are experiencing.
Shaking comes from the hightened anxiety so please do not be scared.Things will get better!
There are so many options Herbal and otherwise that will help you a lot.

Please keep Posting

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

[Solatido]

Hi Angela,

Sorry to hear you're going through this, but you can rest assured you're not alone. I have similar symptoms, and they are worse in the morning. (Make sure your doctor rules out any other causes.) My tremors, anxiety and palpitations were so bad a couple of months ago that I could hardly function. A neurologist I went to recognized my symptoms immediately, thank goodness. He said that the reason symptoms are worse in the morning is because it is during sleep that the brain/body creates/releases hormones (not just estrogen and progesterone, but cortisol and such), and with low female hormones, the imbalance is most noticeable in the a.m. when the other hormones are higher. FYI, this neuro put me on a low dose of propranolol for tremors and palpitations, and it also helps reduce anxiety. Hope this is helpful and that you can find answers that will work for you. Hang in there!

Hugs,

Jeri

[alinam]

Hi Angela,

Sorry to hear you're going through this, but you can rest assured you're not alone. I have similar symptoms, and they are worse in the morning. (Make sure your doctor rules out any other causes.) My tremors, anxiety and palpitations were so bad a couple of months ago that I could hardly function. A neurologist I went to recognized my symptoms immediately, thank goodness. He said that the reason symptoms are worse in the morning is because it is during sleep that the brain/body creates/releases hormones (not just estrogen and progesterone, but cortisol and such), and with low female hormones, the imbalance is most noticeable in the a.m. when the other hormones are higher. FYI, this neuro put me on a low dose of propranolol for tremors and palpitations, and it also helps reduce anxiety. Hope this is helpful and that you can find answers that will work for you. Hang in there!

Hugs,

Jeri

Thank you so much for your quick response. I'm so glad I found this site. It's wonderful to know that these crazy symptoms are all related. I have had my thyroid checked twice-the first time was normal, so MD checked again including thyroid antibodies. I'm still waiting for those results. I'm going to a new gyn on Thursday and I'm really hoping she knows more about how to help me than my PMD does. I'll ask her about the propranolol since tremors, palps, and anxiety are the most debilitating symptoms for me right now.

Hugs back at ya!

Angela

[enough]

Oh I have had that many times. I remember saying to my husband, I just opened my eyes and didn't even get out of bed yet, how could I feel this awful already? For me, it was hormonal and I went on the pill to try to stabilize the symptoms and although it's not 100% foolproof it is much more manageable than it ever was. Yes, get help from your doctor, ask us what to do and you will start to feel better.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Solatido]

Hi Angela,

(I tried to PM you, but your messaging is turned off.) Hope you get feeling better soon. Please let me know if you decide to take propranolol (inderol) and how it goes for you. (It took about a week for me to get used to the med and figure out that I needed a lower dose than the doc prescribed, but it is just what I need since I don't want to take AD's or other high-powered drugs.) The great thing about beta blockers is that they are non-addictive and can be taken as needed. Best wishes to you.

Jeri

[alinam]

Hi Angela,

(I tried to PM you, but your messaging is turned off.) Hope you get feeling better soon. Please let me know if you decide to take propranolol (inderol) and how it goes for you. (It took about a week for me to get used to the med and figure out that I needed a lower dose than the doc prescribed, but it is just what I need since I don't want to take AD's or other high-powered drugs.) The great thing about beta blockers is that they are non-addictive and can be taken as needed. Best wishes to you.

Jeri

I would be very interested in trying propranolol for this, especially if I can cut down on some of the other medications I'm on, but my PMD just doesn't seem to know what to do. I asked her if I could start on a beta-blocker months ago and she said my bp was too low (of course I was on xanax at the time). Should I go to a neurologist? And endocrinologist? Every time I see a new doctor and leave the office with no answers I lose what little hope I had. Now I'm afraid to see anymore. They all refer me back to my psychiatrist. GRRRRR!

BTW, how do you enable messaging? I couldn't figure out how to turn it on.

[simba2]

[quote name='alinam' date='Jun 21 2009, 12:46 PM' post='291450']
I would be very interested in trying propranolol for this, especially if I can cut down on some of the other medications I'm on, but my PMD just doesn't seem to know what to do. I asked her if I could start on a beta-blocker months ago and she said my bp was too low (of course I was on xanax at the time). Should I go to a neurologist? And endocrinologist? Every time I see a new doctor and leave the office with no answers I lose what little hope I had. Now I'm afraid to see anymore. They all refer me back to my psychiatrist. GRRRRR!

BTW, how do you enable messaging? I couldn't figure out how to turn it o

Quote name = Simba 2 date = June 21st 2009

Angela

If it is any consolation the morning anxiety seems to trouble so many women in menopause. I have been experiencing it for quite a few years since my periods stopped. Truth to say it is really, really difficult. Its just like this feeling of tension and fear when you wake. I seem to have it with really big hot flushes. I sometimes have days when I feel so apprehensive as if something horrible is going to happen and I am in this state of heightened anxiety. Then towards evening I can feel a bit better and odd days I dont feel as anxious. I know, just know that this is hormonal but docs dont seem to get it. I am in the UK and my experience with my doctor has been pretty awful. Maybe I have been unlucky but I despair at how women in menopause are being treated here because it can be a really difficult and frightening time. I personally am so glad that we have the internet now and sites like this one because otherewise I think women would feel as if they were going mad.

Best of luck

Simba 2 (UK)

[Michah Hadley]

Hi Sweets,

You are having a rough time!! Your gyneacologist is probably the best way to go......I have an ENDO but he is a numbers man and often my gynea says "well, we need to look out of the box". It took me 4 years to find a group of doctors that actually wanted to help me. ! am 35 and had symptoms since I was 31, very young for most doctors to even look at for peri! I have seen Immunologists, neurologists, sleep clinics and my fair share of really crap endos before I found Dr Hill. Even though he likes his blood ranges, he is thorough and caring. My current GP is the one who dx me peri. My thyroid surgeon is keeping an eye on my enlarged goiter. Don't give up.......it only takes one doctor to do the right thing and you are on the home stretch!!

I agree with one of the other wonderful ladies about the pill.......I have noticed a shift in how bad the morning symptoms are since being on YAZ. But as usual, everyone is different.......I had sinus tachycardia due to medically induced thyrotoxicosis and was put on Beta blockers(atenolol) which really helped, but then ate a hot curry one night and ended up with the paramedics at my house with a heart rate of 140 bpm even on betas!! never did that again They will help with the heart palpitations and other stuff. I ended up with a horrendous rash from them but for others, they work a treat. Could you try the pill or something else and see if it settles that way? Just a thought.......

Yep the morning heebs are REVOLTING......I hope you resolve them soon, babe.......we are here.....

[mydarling]

So I started having new panic attacks/anxiety about six months ago. I'm convinced this is related to perimenopause because I also get cold flushes, some night sweats, and "crawly skin". Now I've noticed that I'm waking up very early feeling very restless and shaky. As soon as I start to move, my heart starts to race and pound and my body shakes like I have the chills. Some days, my hands shake for hours.

Anyone experience this?

Please help
Angela

Well, i've been having the exact same thing for 2 and a half years now.....exactly what you described! Every morning.....well, almost every morning. I take xanax. This is hormonal, and it'll pass, but, in the meantime, i know how scary this can be!

[alinam]

Hi Sweets,

You are having a rough time!! Your gyneacologist is probably the best way to go......I have an ENDO but he is a numbers man and often my gynea says "well, we need to look out of the box". It took me 4 years to find a group of doctors that actually wanted to help me. ! am 35 and had symptoms since I was 31, very young for most doctors to even look at for peri! I have seen Immunologists, neurologists, sleep clinics and my fair share of really crap endos before I found Dr Hill. Even though he likes his blood ranges, he is thorough and caring. My current GP is the one who dx me peri. My thyroid surgeon is keeping an eye on my enlarged goiter. Don't give up.......it only takes one doctor to do the right thing and you are on the home stretch!!

I agree with one of the other wonderful ladies about the pill.......I have noticed a shift in how bad the morning symptoms are since being on YAZ. But as usual, everyone is different.......I had sinus tachycardia due to medically induced thyrotoxicosis and was put on Beta blockers(atenolol) which really helped, but then ate a hot curry one night and ended up with the paramedics at my house with a heart rate of 140 bpm even on betas!! never did that again They will help with the heart palpitations and other stuff. I ended up with a horrendous rash from them but for others, they work a treat. Could you try the pill or something else and see if it settles that way? Just a thought.......

Yep the morning heebs are REVOLTING......I hope you resolve them soon, babe.......we are here.....

Thank you all so much for your support and advice! I was having a terrible time muddling through all the commercial websites and their conflicting information.

I started on a low dose bcp last month and am due to start the second pack tonight. Not sure that the Loestrin 1/20 is the right one for me. How long have you been on YAZ and how long did it take for you to feel a difference?

[alinam]

I know, just know that this is hormonal but docs dont seem to get it. I am in the UK and my experience with my doctor has been pretty awful. Maybe I have been unlucky but I despair at how women in menopause are being treated here because it can be a really difficult and frightening time. I personally am so glad that we have the internet now and sites like this one because otherewise I think women would feel as if they were going mad.

Best of luck

Simba 2 (UK)
[/quote]

It's not any better where I am (southwestern US). I've been to emergency rooms, my primary MD, psychiatrist. I described the symptoms to all of them and they said it's just my anxiety disorder (even though that has been controlled on a small dose of Paxil for years). No one ever brought up the possibility that it could be hormones until I went to the gyn and insisted that the symptoms were getting worse at certain points of my cycle. Her response was to hand me a prescription for low dose birth control but very little info on how it was supposed to work. They always seem too rushed to really listen.

[Michah Hadley]

Thank you all so much for your support and advice! I was having a terrible time muddling through all the commercial websites and their conflicting information.

I started on a low dose bcp last month and am due to start the second pack tonight. Not sure that the Loestrin 1/20 is the right one for me. How long have you been on YAZ and how long did it take for you to feel a difference?

yep, that half the problem with all this......there is so much choice and most drs can be biased with treatment, especially if they are getting special considerations with drug companies........I am on the second month of YAZ......The first month was pretty rough and thought about coming off it......but my gynea and GP said please stay on it for 3 months........thats the only way you can really tell if it is working.......Since then I have noticed a decline in headaches, nausea, anxiety, heart palps and I have been eating better which is GREAT(I went through agony eating before the pill). These are small chenges at the moment as I have just gone through a hellish last few days.......I was mid-cycle according to my pill and felt like I was getting my period. Yuck Don't know what THAT means.......anyway...

I am also on YAZ to help with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, endometriosis and adenomyosis........so I got a lot of things riding on this pill.......we shall see babe.......have you noticed the symptoms getting worse since starting the Loestrin? It will feel worse before it feels better.......or it did for me.......A low dose of a tranquiliser may help for now while you are adjusting.......I use diazepam. Xanax didn't do much for me, but in this case everyone is different.......trial and error is sometimes the best way(even if it is frustrating!!).

Keep the faith babe, we have to believe it will get better........there are some wonderful women on here that are a testament to that!!

[alinam]

yep, that half the problem with all this......there is so much choice and most drs can be biased with treatment, especially if they are getting special considerations with drug companies........I am on the second month of YAZ......The first month was pretty rough and thought about coming off it......but my gynea and GP said please stay on it for 3 months........thats the only way you can really tell if it is working.......Since then I have noticed a decline in headaches, nausea, anxiety, heart palps and I have been eating better which is GREAT(I went through agony eating before the pill). These are small chenges at the moment as I have just gone through a hellish last few days.......I was mid-cycle according to my pill and felt like I was getting my period. Yuck Don't know what THAT means.......anyway...

I am also on YAZ to help with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, endometriosis and adenomyosis........so I got a lot of things riding on this pill.......we shall see babe.......have you noticed the symptoms getting worse since starting the Loestrin? It will feel worse before it feels better.......or it did for me.......A low dose of a tranquiliser may help for now while you are adjusting.......I use diazepam. Xanax didn't do much for me, but in this case everyone is different.......trial and error is sometimes the best way(even if it is frustrating!!).

Keep the faith babe, we have to believe it will get better........there are some wonderful women on here that are a testament to that!!

Yes, the anxiety actually got quite a bit worse the first week. I called my PMD's office and asked the nurse how long this would last. She said it should settle in about ten days. Fortunately, the all-day anxiety lessened and I was able to finish out the month. I did have to increase the dose of ativan I take at bedtime and haven't been able to go back to the original dose yet. I'm hoping this month will be a little better and the next month I can start getting off the ativan altogether. I also take xanax if the anxiety is so bad that I need something quick acting (usually when I'm still awake at one in the morning and need to get some sleep.) Xanax doesn't stay in my system very long and neither did klonopin (which was disappointing because it was supposed to last 12 hours and wore off after six.)

Now if only I could figure out a med schedule that would keep me from waking up so agitated. I thought maybe I should take the bcp in the morning instead of at night, but the progesterone actually makes me really sleepy.

[kimdnov]

[quote name='alinam' date='Jun 20 2009, 11:35 AM' post='291331']
So I started having new panic attacks/anxiety about six months ago. I'm convinced this is related to perimenopause because I also get cold flushes, some night sweats, and "crawly skin". Now I've noticed that I'm waking up very early feeling very restless and shaky. As soon as I start to move, my heart starts to race and pound and my body shakes like I have the chills. Some days, my hands shake for hours.

Anyone experience this?

Please help
Angela


You described me exactly!
Hugs Kim

[Michah Hadley]

Yes, the anxiety actually got quite a bit worse the first week. I called my PMD's office and asked the nurse how long this would last. She said it should settle in about ten days. Fortunately, the all-day anxiety lessened and I was able to finish out the month. I did have to increase the dose of ativan I take at bedtime and haven't been able to go back to the original dose yet. I'm hoping this month will be a little better and the next month I can start getting off the ativan altogether. I also take xanax if the anxiety is so bad that I need something quick acting (usually when I'm still awake at one in the morning and need to get some sleep.) Xanax doesn't stay in my system very long and neither did klonopin (which was disappointing because it was supposed to last 12 hours and wore off after six.)

Now if only I could figure out a med schedule that would keep me from waking up so agitated. I thought maybe I should take the bcp in the morning instead of at night, but the progesterone actually makes me really sleepy.

babe, I take my pill in the morning......the sleepiness will wear off eventually.......are you in a position to give in to the tiredness until it passes? Do you have to work? Sometimes it is just easier to lie down than fight it. I would probably give it a try........might change the morning heebs a bit if you are not taking it at night. While you do this, maybe get yourself a sleep agent, like valarian(natural......I have also heard that melatonin works a treat......talk to your doc before you try these......some people they do not agree with) if you can or Temazepam, Xanax, Diazepam........Sleep agents or tranquilsers do not make me sleep, but one of these may work for you.......diazepam has a longer life in the body and can help with the morning heebs if you take it at night. It worked for me.......I just did it for a week while I was on the beta blockers.

Good luck babe.......